Unholy War

"Roars about Russia, Nary a Whisper about Islam," by Diana West,

August 15:

[...] Historical memory somewhat refreshed, Western media were ready with the headlines -- "The evil empire is back"; "Welcome to the 19th century"; "The Russian bear's new teeth" -- to promote the main thrust of most stories: namely, that Russia is reverting to tsarist, expansionist, Soviet-style, empire-amassing type.

It's not that there's anything controversial in this journalistic approach, although I do tend to think there remain aspects of the Georgian story we haven't reconciled. What's noteworthy about this narrative consensus, however, is that the invocation of Russia's historical and cultural record is being made so frankly and without hedging. That is, no one's blaming "Russian extremists," "tsarismists," or "hijackers of a great history." On the contrary, the implication behind most Russia-versus-Georgia stories is that the Russians' world-stage behavior as they smash Georgia is something that this same historical and cultural record tells us that Russians do. [...]

And why is this important? When I started seeing these stories and statements -- even making some of them myself -- I realized there was something free-wheeling about the style of expression that made it different from what has been the norm. I first wondered if there was a somewhat perverse trace of nostalgia in dealing again with the Russians. And then it hit me. In the nearly seven years since Islam has wholly dominated current events, neither our media nor our leaders have ever, not even once, looked at similarly characteristic behavior from the Islamic world and labeled it accordingly.

In other words, no pattern of avowedly Islam-inspired violence in the world has ever earned a headline nearly as straightforward as "Islamic jihad is back." Not even the Islamic success of Motoon Rage, which has severely repressed Western modes of expression regarding Muhammad in particular and Islam in general, inspired anything as descriptive as, for example, "Sharia's new teeth."

Ask yourself: Would any British foreign secretary of the postmodern age look at, say, last year's trial of a British teacher in Sudan for "blasphemy" in naming a teddy bear "Muhammad," and conclude: "It's a reversion to not just post-colonial politics. It is a seventh century way of doing politics"? Hah.

And what American presidential candidate would ever explain the Islamic push, financial and otherwise, in the West for mosque construction, Islamic schools (madrassas), campus Islamic studies (apologetics) departments, Sharia law-inspired legal challenges, lobbying for Sharia-compliant banking and the like as a matter of Islamic imperialism?

I quoted McCain above discussing, matter-of-fact, what he considers to be catchall "Russian" ambitions to restore the "old Russian empire." Would he, or any other American politician, ever say the same regarding catchall "Islamic" ambitions? While both Russia and Islam claim similarly long histories and cultures of conquest for reference, it's mighty tough to imagine any U.S. politician ever saying the following: "I think it's very clear that Islamic ambitions are to restore the old caliphate." (And that's despite a growing body of statements, even polling data, reflecting the persistence of Islamic caliphate dreams.)

I'm afraid all the radical, fasco-Russian tsarismists will have to abandon their quest for world domination before we hear anything like that.

Some web comments from JW

"Roars about Russia, Nary a Whisper about Islam,"

Oh yes, I definitely thought about that in the past few days, and how utterly and completely ironic it is.

PC to condemn the "Russkies" but not the Global Jihad, which is a menace and threat to the entire world.

Sad, sad, sad.

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Has anyone considered that maybe the Russians are trying to run interference for the muslims? Given how tight the Russians are with Iran and other Muslims, it is certainly a possibility. I'm not say that this is the main reason why they invaded Georgia, but it could be a minor reason.

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It's easier to concentrate on the Russian threat, which has been a part of American history for quite a while. Presidential candidates can do less research on it, and can still have an general grasp of the situation. However, the Islamic threat is new to the West, and would require research- which is, of course, easily done. The problem comes with the fact that this "research," if done correctly, can only lead to opinions that will be called "racist" and "hate mongering." Consequently, the politicians just avoid it all together and focus instead on what they know. In other words, it's OK to fear the Russians, but not OK to fear Islamic jihad. Sad, but true.

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Seems like you've inspired someone else...

Islamic Terrorism Ignored by Mainstream Media

They're right - more people need to complain about this!

Link from JW: http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/022225.php


Related from 2007

www.unholywars.org

Secular Chechen rebels become Muslim fundamentalists

Apabrita | Nov 22 2007

By now, all of us have heard of the war torn Chechnya. What we are not aware of is the fact that Chechen rebels are actually appreciating Islam and the President is doing almost everything to revive the Sufi movement in this part of the world. Here in Chechnya, the Muslim religious sect - Sufi, is gaining popularity. Instead of being a secular Muslim force, the Chechen rebels have pledged their allegiance to Islam.

The Chechen rebels have been backed by the Russian security forces. The rebels have pretty much declared a open war against the folks who go against Islam as well as the Muslims. So, one of their prime enemies unfortunately, is the US. Surprisingly, the Chechen rebels have declared Jihad against the West!

This is what surprises me the most. As far as I was aware, the Muslim fundamentalists are mostly based in Middle East. I had no clue that there was a growing Muslim Jihadist community in Chechnya! The Chechen rebels are growing strong day by day. What makes them stronger? Government officials claim that these folks present the idea of glorified death, fighting for God and the Muslim religion to the unemployed youth. Eventually the young generation falls in the trap and joins the ‘rebellion’.

The new mosques that are coming up throughout the republic, will be preaching Islamic fundamentalism to the citizens of Chechen republic. According to the preachers as these mosque, the new mosques are coming up in order to give people hope as well as revive entire Chechnya. In a way, these mosques will act as a recruiter for Chechen rebels. Whatever the ulterior motive might be, the mosques will be able to accommodate about 10,000 worshipers as well as have an Islamic school. Muslims hope that the mosque will ‘radiate’ goodness all around Chechnya. Although, I think that the war torn country is far from seeing any revival.

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Related news dated today from Islamabad

300,000 civilians has fled al-Qaida badlands

Bruce Loudon, South Asia correspondent | August 18, 2008

ISLAMABAD: A human tide of more than 300,000 civilians has fled the al-Qa'ida badlands, amid indications that the fighting there has reached unprecedented levels, with the Pakistani army using massive firepower to attack jihadi militant strongholds.

Helicopter gunships, fixed-wing strike aircraft, tanks and heavy artillery have been used in the onslaught that followed the visit last month by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to Washington, where he was berated for Pakistan's failure to wipe out the militants.

The offensive runs counter to perceptions that Pakistan's new civilian Government is "soft" on Islamic extremism.

This will reassure Washington, whose ally in the war in terror for the past nine years, President Pervez Musharraf, was given by the Coalition Government until midnight last night (4am today AEST) to resign or face impeachment proceedings beginning tonight in the National Assembly.

Pakistani television showed thousands of civilians caught in the crossfire streaming out of the Bajaur, Mohmand and Kurrum agencies during the fighting estimated to have killed more than 500 militants. Tens of thousands of people are camping on the perimeter of Peshawar, the capital of the North West Frontier Province, and some have reached Rawalpindi, the garrison city adjoining Islamabad.

New security tsar Rehman Malik, the architect of the get-tough policy against the militants who have over-run the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, said at least 220,000 civilians had been displaced. But welfare agencies said the figure was probably well in excess of 300,000.

Link

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24196995-601,00.html